The third meeting of the WCO Passenger Facilitation and Control Working Group (PFCWG) took place virtually from 20 to 21 April 2022, chaired by Mr. Paul Campbell from New Zealand, and co-chaired by Dr. Maryam Ali Alhashemi of the United Arab Emirates. More than 150 participants from around the world, including observers from CLIA, IMO, UNOCT and the WHO, participated in the Meeting.
The PFCWG was opened by the WCO Director of Compliance and Facilitation, Mr. Pranab Kumar DAS. In his opening remarks, Mr. DAS stressed that Customs administrations played a pivotal role in supporting cruise ship operations by facilitating effective passenger embarkation and disembarkation processes, while also maintaining higher levels of security. Mr. DAS noted the significance of the work being undertaken by the PFCWG, particularly the PFCWG’s initiative to establish a global data standard for maritime travel, and how this could support cruise lines to resume global operations in the future. The Director also emphasized the importance of collaboration with other international organizations and business, and expressed appreciation for their valuable contributions.
Through the two-day event, PFCWG delegates were updated on the latest developments with the Cruise Ship Compendium of Best Practices for Customs Use, the Global Data Standard for maritime passengers and the Secretariat Note on the role of Customs in supporting the safe and secure resumption of international travel. The PFCWG also received valuable insights and situational updates on global maritime travel through presentations from the WHO, UNOCT, CLIA and France’s Service National Des Donnees De Voyage (SNDV).
The PFCWG delegates held intensive discussions on cruise ship passenger day-trip information as a possible data element to be included in the Global Data Standard, while bearing in mind the broader compliance costs for the cruise industry. Delegates noted that it was desirable to explore what “Maritime API/PNR Guidelines” would look like and stressed the importance of encompassing IMO and cruise industry perspectives into any potential guidelines. These issues will be discussed further during the intersessional meetings of the Mini Group on Global Data Standards.
Finally, it was agreed that WCO Members would be invited to provide feedback to the draft Cruise Ship Compendium of Best Practices for Customs Use through the CLiKC! Platform by 18 May 2022.